Soaring & Thunderstorm Safety

The FAA recommends avoiding thunderstorms by 20 miles (see AC-00-24c). However, sometimes we might fly a little closer to fly in the strong part of the lift. This does not come without risk. I have talked to pilots who have had the spoilers open at VNE and still climbing. Sink can also be just as extreme. I have experiences hail and talked to a pilot who had a lightning strike.  But what I find most interesting is when someone says the storm is going to be hitting the airport pilots run for home. You should run away and keep flying.

We had a day over the weekend that overdeveloped. I was with a student and we were walking out to pre-flight. There was a small rain shaft coming from an innocently sized cell. However, the lighting really sold me on waiting it out. We had 2 gliders up, 1 decided to head home quickly, a 2-33 at 80mph with full spoilers achieves a quick descent.

As time progressed the microburst became visible. The other glider decided he may not be able to make it back before and looked at staying away from the airport during the storm. However, he was not realistic about making the next set of clouds. This delay in returning towards the airport and not finding lift resulted in landing in less than ideal conditions.

As the cell began to grow over the airport many of the nameless private owners decided to head back towards the airport, closer to the storm. One pilot decided to stay in the good weather and not head towards the airport (see picture above for the final glide). He beat his buddies that day on the OLC and landed well after the storm dissipated. The pilots who crept towards the airport quickly found dead air and many landed in light sprinkles and varying winds.

When the weather gets bad why do people want to hurry up and get back? Even if you land before the hail, wind, etc. your glider will be sitting outside when it hits. Many times you can stay a good distance away, enjoy the day and land after it has dissipated.

One day I turned a 20min ride for 2 into an hour-long 70 mile out and return. It was beautiful and we never got a drop of rain.

 Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.